Giant Cell Arteritis
New severe headache, scalp tenderness, jaw pain when chewing or any visual change in someone over 50 is not something to wait on. Giant cell arteritis can threaten vision if it is not treated quickly. If any of this sounds like you, please seek urgent medical care first, and let me know so I can help coordinate the next steps.
What giant cell arteritis is
Giant cell arteritis, or GCA, is inflammation of the medium and large arteries, most often affecting the arteries around the temples, scalp, head and neck. It usually affects people over the age of 50 and can occur together with polymyalgia rheumatica. GCA needs prompt treatment because untreated inflammation can permanently damage vision.
Symptoms to look out for
New persistent headache, often around the temples
Scalp tenderness, for example when brushing your hair or lying on a pillow
Jaw or tongue pain when chewing or talking
Blurred vision, double vision or a brief episode of vision loss
Fatigue, unintended weight loss or low-grade fever
Shoulder and hip stiffness (polymyalgia rheumatica) alongside these symptoms
Why this matters to a rheumatologist
Rheumatology guides the diagnosis and treatment of GCA. My role is to confirm the picture with focused blood tests and imaging, start prompt treatment to protect vision, and then plan the safe reduction of steroids over time. Where appropriate I use steroid-sparing treatments to reduce long-term side effects.
Signs I would like you to seek care for
For emergency symptoms please seek urgent or emergency care first rather than waiting for a WhatsApp reply.
Any sudden change in vision, even if it is brief: please attend an emergency department the same day
A new severe headache with scalp tenderness or jaw pain in someone over 50
Polymyalgia symptoms with new headache or visual symptoms
New neurological symptoms such as weakness or slurred speech
Fever or significant weight loss with these symptoms
What a specialist review looks like
In clinic I take a careful history and examine the temporal arteries, scalp, jaw movement and general systems. Where GCA is suspected I arrange urgent inflammatory blood tests (ESR and CRP), and consider vascular ultrasound, imaging or temporal artery biopsy depending on the pathway. I do not delay treatment while these tests are arranged when the clinical picture is convincing.
Questions my patients often ask me
Speak with me
If you have a new severe headache, jaw pain, scalp tenderness or any visual change and you are over 50, please seek urgent medical care first, then contact my clinic. I would like to help guide the next step quickly.
Other conditions I treat
This page is for general education only and does not replace medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.